WASHINGTON — Inova Fairfax Hospital canceled all elective surgeries Tuesday after sandlike particles were found on sterilized surgical trays and instruments. The hospital estimates that up to 150 patients have been forced to reschedule their procedures.
“This particulate matter is non-biological; it’s nonprotein, so there is no risk of infection. It appears to be like little particles of sand that are on the trays that show up against a white background,” said Dr. Scott Betzelos, vice president and chief medical officer at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
The hospital said it has canceled elective procedures out of an abundance of caution, and emergency surgeries are taking place using particle-free trays and instruments.
The sandlike particles appear to be from the sterilization process, according to the hospital.
“We think that it could be coming from the washing machines, some metallic-type of shavings, ball bearings that may be coming off into the tray and then, when that goes through the steam sterilizer, it gets particulated, and we end up seeing it,” Betzelos said.
Technicians are troubleshooting the sterilization process, examining washers, sterilizers, filters and separators.
The shutdown of elective surgeries will continue through the night.
The hospital plans to use sterile trays and instruments provided by other Inova facilities for scheduled surgeries Wednesday and said it will not return to service its sterilization equipment until the source of sandlike particles is found, corrected and successfully tested.
All patients have been notified of the cancellations.
